Metal box or container for the feed-belts of machine-guns.



H. R. NORTHOVER.

' METAL BOX 0R CONTAINER ma THE FEED BELTS OF MACHINE sums. v APPLICATION FILED AUG-221 1916. LQ$ U Patented July 17, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

R'WESSS H. R. NORTHOVER. METAL BOX 0H CONTAINER FOR THE FEED BELTS OF MACHINE GUNS.

APPLICATION FILED AU GJL I916- Patented July 17, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WITNESSES HAR YROBERTNO HQVER, OFjWINNIPEG, MANITOBA, CANADA.

METAL Box on CONTAINER roa'rHE FEED-BELTS or MACHINE-GUNS.

To all whom it may concern V J Be it known that I, HARRY ROBERT NORTH- ovun, a subject of the Kingof Great Britain, residing at 217 Graham avenue,- Winnipeg, Manitoba, in the Dominion of Canada, gunsmith, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Metal Boxes or Containers for the Feed Belts of Machine Guns, of

which the following is a specification.

The boxes ordinarily usedv for containing and transporting machine-gun feed-belts are made entirely of wood, and are therefore not damp-proof, and may easily become damaged by exposure to weather or by rough treatment under active. service conditions. Moreover, when it is required to run a belt from the box into a. gun, the lid has to be thrown back to such-an extent that it leaves the contents of the box completely unprotected. 1

The present invention consistsin an improved feed-belt box which, in additionto being stronger and more weather-proof than the ordinary wooden box, is so constructed as to provide for theprotection ofthe contents of the box from rain and'dust when the belt is being run out. H j

Figure l of the accompanying drawing represents a perspective view ofacartridgebeltbox constructed in accordance with my invention.

gig. 2 is an elevation of one end of same, an

Fig. 3 is an elevation of the other end.

Fig. 4: is a longitudinal vertical section showing the lid entirely closed. 7

Fig. 5 is a transverse, vertical section of Fig. 4' on the line as. 9 '2 a 1 Fig. 6 is a plan of that end of the box from which the belt is withdrawn.

Fig. 7 is a horizontal section on the dotted line 00 Fig. 4C.

The body and lid of the improved box are constructed from stout sheet metal and the whole of the'joints in the body are reinforced and sealed by overlapping extensions (see Figs. 4 and 5) which are soldered in place with the object of rendering said body perfectly damp-proof and water-tight. The edges of the body a, except along the side to which the lid-hinge is fitted is furnished with a wired or solid beading aand the corresponding edges of the lid 72 are formed with curved spring lips c, 0 which snap over said beadings when the lid is shut, thereby serving both to fasten the closed lid passes to the gun. "ciently stiif in action to maintain the sec- Sp'ecifieation of Letters Patentl V Patented July 1"], 1191?,

Application filed August 22, 1916. Serial No. 116,392. I

and as protective eaves which render its difficult for any rain or moisture to work its way into the interior of the boxN-Similar overhanging eaves 0 may be provided along the hinge side of the lid to prevent the entrance of moisture through the joints 4 between the hinge-knuckles.

The lid, instead of-being made in one piece as in the ordinary wooden belt-box is constructed of two sections 6? b one of which (6 is long enough to cover about three- 1 quarters of the top of theboxwhile the other section b is of suflicient dimensions to coverthe remainder The main section b is directly hinged at one of its longitudinal edges to one side of the boxby the hinge- 11 while the shorter section b is not hinged to the said box but is jointed at its inner end 6 to the inner end edge 6 of the main section N by a transverse hinge b at right angles to the main hinge 6 This two-part.

lidcan. thus be bodily opened and closed upon the hinge 12 while the smaller section is capable of being independently raised upon its own hinge b (when the main lidsection is closed) so as to uncover only that part of the box'above which the said smaller section is located. Thus, by bodily lifting or turning up the two sections of the lid collectively on the main hinge, the whole top inclosed and'adequately protected. When,

however, the box is'brought up. to 101' an chored onto a gun in action, the belt can be withdrawn without'hinging up .the whole of. the lid, if the section b? is slightly raised on its own transverse hinge, as the belt can be pulled out through the aperture thus provided, while the main section 6 being still closed and fastened, serves to protect the greater part of the interior of the box and its contents. At the same time, the slightlyraised section h serves as a cover or hood for the end of the box wherefrom the belt The hinge b is suflition 6 at any angle in which it may be placed relative to the closed section I) while the spring lip formed at the end of the section b is adapted to engage over the body-beading a (see Fig. 4) to fasten this part of the lid in its closed position.

To provide for the anchoring of the belt parts or sections of unequal length, the

projecting upright ribs or feathers d adapted to be dropped into engagement with suit ably-grooved or channeled attachments on =thebreech-casing of the Having described my invention, what I claim and'desireto secure-by Letters Patent 1s 1- *1; A metal box or container for cartridge feedkbelts, wherein the lid is made up of two 7 mainfor longer-' s'ection being hinged at one ofits longitudinal edges directly to oneside of the boX body, while the "other or smaller sectionis hinged solely 'to'the inner end'edge of said inainsec'tion so as to swing at right angles to the main section, the arrangement being such that when the main section of the lid is "closed and fastened, the smaller section can be raised independently thereof, to admit of a belt contained in the box being withdrawn, substantially as herein described; I =2. A metal box or container for cartridge 30 feed 'belts, wherein the lid is made up of alonger-or main section, which is directly 'jointed to one side of the body of the box,

and "another section which is jointed transversely by a st-ifl hinge to an end of the main section; each section of the lid being provided alo'ng one side-with a spring lip adapted toengage with and overhang a heading on the body"; substantially as herein described. 1

'3. A metaLboxorf-eontaine'r for cartridge feed'ebelts, having a lid-made up of two parts orsectionsef unequal length; the main or longer section being hinged directly to one side of the box body and being provided with an overhanging cave or extension to copies wt "this patent m be obtained m;

prevent moisture working through the knucklesof the hinge; and the other or end section of said lid being hinged solely to the said main section, to permit it to be raised independently thereof.

4. A metal box or container for cartridge feed-belts, having a lid made up of two parts or sections of unequal length; the main or longer section beinghinged at one of its longitudinal edges directly to one side of the box body while the other or smaller section is hinged solely to the inner end edge of said main section so as to swing at right angles to the main section, the arrangement being such that when the lnain section of the lid is closed and fastened, the smaller section can be raised independently thereof, to admit of a belt contained in the box beingwithdrawn; said sections and box body having inter-engaging parts to prevent the entrance of moisture into the interior of the box.

5. A metal box or container for cartridge feed-belts, having a lid comprising a main or longer section hinged at one of its longitudinal edges directly to "one side of the box body, and a smaller section jointed transversely to the inner end edge of the main section by a stiff hinge, the arrangement being such that when the main section of the lid is closed and fastened the smaller section can be raised independently thereof to admit of a belt contained in the box being withdrawn; said smaller section being maintained by its hinge in any position into which it may be moved relative to the closed main section.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HARRY ROBERT NORTHOVER.

Witnesses:

ARTHUR SAD'LER,

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). 0. 

